February 14, 2016

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: What Does Love Look Like?

Over the years many artists have tried to tackle the concept of love.  The examples are as varied as the artists & materials.   There are examples of love between God & man, human love, love for nature, the love of money, love of material possessions, the love of country, the use of the word "love", and they symbolic us of the heart.  Paint, paper, stone, metal, pencils, plastic, and so many other supplies have tried to capture the spirit of love with varying amounts of success.  Love, in its many forms, is what moves us...for good or for not, and why it is such a huge reoccurring theme within art.  But what is true love?  What does love look like?

Teacher example from a Jim Dine lesson.

This is how we know what love is:  Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.  If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?  Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but the actions and in truth. 
1 John 3:16-18

We can say "I love you".  We can sing songs of love.  We can give cards, flowers, or other gifts.  However, true love goes far beyond those momentary expressions.  True love changes you from the inside out.  When we come to understand what Christ has done for us....we come to understand what love truly is.  We no longer seek to serve ourselves & pursue the passions of the world.  Our heart begins to reflect our Father.  I do say begins...because as most things...it is a process.  As we grow in God...our heart grows closer to His.  We begin to love as He loves.  We begin to react with that heart.  We are called not only to love God...but reflect & act upon that love.  This love expresses itself in our words, attitudes, and actions.  If you find your words unkind, your attitudes poor, and your actions self serving.....check your heart!  It might be that you need to take some time asking the Lord to reveal what is causing this disconnect between knowing His love..yet not seeing it lived out in your life.  When we earnestly seek Him...He is faithful to meet us where we are(even if it isn't a "pretty"place to be).  Ask Him to help your heart, head, and actions to line up with the truth of His love.  

PRAYER
Dear Jesus, thank you for your love.
Thank you for showing me how to love.
Help me Lord to love like you love.  Help me to show your love to those around me.  Allow me to be a true picture of your love to the world.
In Christ's Name, AMEN

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